Joy Banerjee's remark on EC 'slip of tongue': BJP

Kolkata: West Bengal BJP president Rahul Sinha today said the recent purported remark by its leader Joy Banerjee on Election Commission was a 'slip of tongue' and the party has 'full respect for democracy and democratic institutions'.

Sinha's comment comes a day after EC asked BJP president Amit Shah to explain by September 25 remarks by Banerjee that the poll panel is now under the party's control. Sinha, who accompanied Banerjee to the office of the chief electoral officer here, told reporters that he was a film actor and had joined politics a year back.

"He (Banerjee) does not have much experience. It was his slip of tongue. BJP has full respect for democracy and democratic institutions," Sinha said, adding that a letter to this effect was submitted to the EC.

Banerjee had told a public meeting at Mayureswar in Birbhum on September 20, "They (TMC) had defeated us by cheating. But in the coming assembly election it will not be possible as it will be held under Army vigilance and the Election Commission is in our hands."

In a letter to Shah yesterday, the Commission referred to the purported remarks of Banerjee and also to his remarks on the security arrangements for the assembly polls in the state due next year.